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Brooklyn Bridge Park

Stroller walk guideBrooklyn, NYC

Brooklyn Bridge Park with a stroller

About 1.3 miles of smooth waterfront paths from DUMBO to Atlantic Avenue, skyline views the whole way and some of the best playgrounds in the city. Here’s how to walk it with a stroller: where to start, where to play, where to pee and how to get there.

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If you want a stroller walk with a view, Brooklyn Bridge Park is hard to beat. The paths are smooth and almost flat, the Manhattan skyline is right there the whole time and there’s a playground (and a bathroom) every few minutes. It’s perfect for a shorter walk that ends with a toddler running free.

The park runs along the East River waterfront from DUMBO in the north to Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn Heights, across a series of old shipping piers now turned into lawns, playgrounds and sports fields. It’s open every day from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m., and it’s free.

At a glance

LengthAbout 1.3 miles one way
SurfaceSmooth, paved paths
CarsCar-free paths
HillsAlmost flat
RestroomsOn most piers
CostFree

Walking the full length one way takes about 30 to 40 minutes at an easy stroller pace, longer with playground stops (and there will be playground stops). Out and back is about 2.5 miles.

Map

Open in Google Maps

The park also has an interactive map with restrooms, playgrounds and food. It’s worth bookmarking on your phone.

The route, pier by pier

The easiest way to think about the park is north to south. Pick a stretch based on how much time you have, or walk the whole thing and take the ferry or a bus back.

North endMain Street and Empire Fulton Ferry
The DUMBO end, between the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges. Home to the pirate-ship Main Street Playground, Jane’s Carousel, Pebble Beach and the classic bridge photo spots.
Under the bridgeFulton Ferry Landing and Pier 1
Right under the Brooklyn Bridge. Big lawns, the Pier 1 playground, the ferry landing and the best skyline views in the park. Also the busiest stretch.
MiddlePiers 2 and 3
Pier 2 has courts, a playground and some of the easiest restrooms in the park. Pier 3 has a quiet lawn with views of the Statue of Liberty and Governors Island.
Middle-southPier 5
Soccer fields and the Picnic Peninsula, with tables right on the water. A good spot to stop for a snack or a feed.
South endPier 6
Toddler heaven. A cluster of playgrounds, including Swing Valley, Slide Mountain, Sandbox Village and the Water Lab, plus restrooms, pizza and the ferry dock at Atlantic Avenue.

Our favorite stroller plan: start at the DUMBO end for bridge views while the baby naps, walk south along the water and finish at the Pier 6 playgrounds just as everyone needs to get out of the stroller. Then hop on the B63 bus or the ferry at Pier 6, or walk up Atlantic Avenue.

Getting there

By subway

DUMBO end: the A/C to High Street (closest to Pier 1) or the F to York Street (closest to Main Street).
Brooklyn Heights: the 2/3 to Clark Street, a short walk down to the middle of the park.
South end: the 2/3/4/5 to Borough Hall or the R to Court Street, then walk down Joralemon Street or Atlantic Avenue toward Pier 6.

A stroller warning: many of these stations have stairs and no elevator. Check the MTA’s accessibility page before you go, and plan on carrying the stroller (or bringing a helper) if your station isn’t on it.

By ferry (our favorite)

The NYC Ferry stops right at the park: the East River route stops at DUMBO/Fulton Ferry, and the South Brooklyn route stops at both DUMBO/Fulton Ferry and Pier 6/Atlantic Avenue. Ferries are stroller friendly, there are no stairs to haul a stroller up and the ride itself is a little outing. It’s also the easiest way to walk the park one way and ride back.

By bus or bike

Buses are often easier than the subway with a full-size stroller. The park lists the B25 (Fulton Ferry Landing), B61 (Atlantic Avenue and Hicks Street), B63 (on the loop road near Pier 6) and B67 (Jay Street and York Street). There are Citi Bike stations at Pier 6, Pier 2, Pier 1 and Main Street if you’re riding in without the baby.

Parking

Honestly, we’d skip driving on weekends. Parking near the park is very limited, and the park itself recommends public transit. If you do drive:

Furman Street lot near Pier 2: a small metered lot with a three-hour limit. It fills up fast.
Garage near Pier 1: a paid garage on the south side of 90 Furman Street, under Squibb Bridge.
Garage near Pier 6: a paid garage on the south side of 360 Furman Street.
No parking on the loop road between Piers 5 and 6. It’s drop-off only, which is handy if someone can drop you and the stroller off.

Restrooms

This is where Brooklyn Bridge Park really shines for moms. According to the park, there are public restrooms at:

Pier 1 Pavilion, near the busiest part of the park. Expect lines on weekends.
Pier 2, inside the pier near the courts. Local parents often say this one has the shortest wait.
Pier 5 Boathouse, near the soccer fields and Picnic Peninsula.
Pier 6, at the Fornino building near the playgrounds and at Quay Tower.
Squibb Park, at the Brooklyn Heights entrance.
The Education Center at Main Street and Empire Stores, both in DUMBO near the pirate-ship playground.

Restrooms are open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. from March through October and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. the rest of the year. Bring a portable changing pad just in case.

Playgrounds

The park has playgrounds from end to end, open sunrise to sunset. The highlights:

Pier 6 playgrounds: the big one. Swing Valley, Slide Mountain, Sandbox Village, the Water Lab (a summer favorite) and more, each tucked into its own space. Restrooms are right there.
Main Street Playground: a nautical, pirate-ship playground with a boat-shaped sandbox, right under the Manhattan Bridge in DUMBO.
Pier 1 Playground: a rustic, storybook-style playground with swings.
Pier 2: swings with a view of the Brooklyn Bridge, near the restrooms.

Jane’s Carousel in the Empire Fulton Ferry section is a restored 1922 carousel in a glass pavilion right next to the Brooklyn Bridge. Rides cost a few dollars, so check the carousel’s website for current hours and prices.

Coffee and food

Inside the park: Fornino (pizza) at Pier 6, OddFellows ice cream at Pier 5, High Tide at Fulton Ferry Landing and Van Leeuwen ice cream in the old fireboat station at Fulton Ferry Landing.
DUMBO: lots of coffee shops, bakeries and casual spots a few blocks from the Main Street and Pier 1 entrances.
Brooklyn Heights and Atlantic Avenue: cafés along Montague Street and Atlantic Avenue near the Pier 6 end.
Picnics: the Picnic Peninsula at Pier 5 and the picnic tables at Pier 6 have some of the best lunch views in the city.

Concessions change by season, so check the park’s restaurant page before you count on a specific spot.

Seasons and events

SpringThe gardens and flower fields wake up, and the park’s free outdoor season usually kicks off in May. Weekday mornings are calm and lovely.
SummerMovies With A View brings free outdoor movies to the Pier 1 Harbor View Lawn on Thursday evenings in July and August. The lawn opens at 6 p.m. and movies start at sunset. The Pier 6 Water Lab is a toddler favorite on hot days. Shade is limited on the piers, so go early.
FallMaybe the best season for stroller walks: cooler air, fewer crowds and golden-hour skyline views.
WinterWindy right on the water, so bundle up and keep walks short. The park has a seasonal ice rink, and the glass-enclosed carousel is a cozy stop.

Check the park’s website for current events, closures and free programs like Waterfront Workouts before you go.

Pro tips

TimingGo early on weekends
By late morning, DUMBO and Pier 1 are packed with tourists and photo shoots. Before 10 a.m. the paths are calm.
WeatherPack a layer
It’s often noticeably windier and cooler on the water than a few blocks inland. Bring a stroller blanket or cover, even in spring.
SunPlan for little shade
The piers are wide open. On sunny days, bring a stroller shade and sunscreen for older kids, and find trees near Pier 1 and Pier 6.
RouteWalk one way, ferry back
Walk the whole park, then catch the NYC Ferry from Pier 6 or DUMBO/Fulton Ferry. No backtracking, no subway stairs.
PhotosSkip the famous corner
The Washington Street photo spot in DUMBO is often crowded. You’ll get great bridge photos from Pier 1 and Main Street with a lot more room.
Meeting upName a pier
“Meet at the Pier 6 swings” or “Jane’s Carousel” is much easier than “by the water.”

Want to make it a bigger walk? The Brooklyn Heights Promenade sits right above the park, and the Brooklyn Greenway runs along the waterfront, so it’s easy to add distance. If you’re postpartum, check with your provider before adding long walks, and build up gradually. Our guide to postpartum exercise once you’re cleared is a good place to start.

Walk Brooklyn Bridge Park with us

Brooklyn Bridge Park is one of the places we expect our first Brooklyn walk clubs to start, along with Prospect Park. We’re taking signups now, and founding members help choose the first routes and times.

Also in Brooklyn: our guide to the Prospect Park Loop. And see everything we’re building in New York City.

More stroller walks in New York City

Sources

Park hours, lanes, restrooms and events change. Check the official sources before you go. If you’re pregnant or postpartum, talk with your provider before starting a new exercise routine.

Better with friends. Find your NYC girls.

We’re taking signups in New York City now. Tell us your neighborhood and we’ll invite you to walks near you as they start, plus coaching and circles you can begin this week.

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Brooklyn Bridge Park

Good questions.

How long is Brooklyn Bridge Park?

The park stretches about 1.3 miles along the Brooklyn waterfront, from the Manhattan Bridge area in DUMBO south to Pier 6 at Atlantic Avenue, and covers about 85 acres. Walking the whole thing one way and back is about 2.5 miles.

Is Brooklyn Bridge Park stroller friendly?

Yes. The main waterfront paths are smooth, paved and almost flat, entrances are at grade or have ramps, and there are restrooms on several piers. Weekend crowds near Pier 1 and DUMBO are the biggest challenge.

Where are the bathrooms in Brooklyn Bridge Park?

According to the park, restrooms are at the Pier 1 Pavilion, Pier 2, the Pier 5 Boathouse, Pier 6 (at Fornino and at Quay Tower), Squibb Park, the Education Center at Main Street and in Empire Stores. They’re open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. from March through October and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. the rest of the year.

What’s the closest subway to Brooklyn Bridge Park?

The A/C to High Street and the F to York Street are closest to the DUMBO end, and the 2/3 to Clark Street is closest to Brooklyn Heights. Many nearby stations have stairs, so check the MTA’s accessibility page. The NYC Ferry, which stops at DUMBO/Fulton Ferry and Pier 6, is often the easiest option with a stroller.

Can you park at Brooklyn Bridge Park?

Parking is limited. There’s a small metered lot on Furman Street near Pier 2 with a three-hour limit, plus paid garages near Pier 1 (under Squibb Bridge) and Pier 6. The park recommends public transit.

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